Several months ago, I decided to take steps to reclaim my own attention.

I used to leave Facebook open on a tab on my machine, allowing me to see instantly when there were new notifications. Now I log out and close the tab. This small bit of extra friction has reduced my use of the social media platform by, I’m guessing, 80%.

We gathered to raise a glass, just a half dozen of us. We knew him from high school, which had come to a capped and gowned end more than 25 years earlier. Some of us had been closer with him than others, but we all had a similar sense of him: big smile. Huge heart. Funny. Friendly. Made you feel good.

“Facebook stands for bringing us closer together and building a global community,” said founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in his 2017 manifesto. He went on to describe, at length, the role the social network can play in helping people build supportive, safe, informed, civically engaged, and inclusive communities.

Mark Zuckerberg sat on his fat cushion, gazing over the heads of the photogs at the senators. His posture, words and tone were calculated to project earnest honesty and helpful transparency. Nothing to hide. We’re here to help.